AP - Tony Blair toured a Palestinian aluminum factory and was told it runs at one-third capacity because of Israeli import restrictions. He promised he'll take it up with Israeli authorities.

Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:24:33 GMT

Israeli govt to debate compensation plan for West Bank settlers (AFP)

AFP - Israel's government will this weekend debate a plan to compensate West Bank settlers willing to leave their homes as part of a peace deal with the Palestinians, an official statement said Wednesdsay.

Publ.Date : Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:59:06 GMT

Assad says "crucial" talks with Israel postponed (Reuters)

Reuters - Syria and Israel have postponed a crucial round of indirect peace talks due to the resignation of the chief Israeli negotiator, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Thursday.

Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:08:38 GMT

Syria seeks French role in peace talks as Sarkozy visits (AFP)

AFP - French President Nicolas Sarkozy held talks with Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad at the start of a two-day visit aimed at sealing a rapprochement and advancing Syria's peace talks with Israel.

Publ.Date : Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:37:43 GMT

Police to decide on Olmert indictment 'in days' (AFP)

AFP - Israeli police said on Thursday they will decide within days whether to recommend that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert be charged in several different cases of suspected graft.

Publ.Date : Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:13:40 GMT

Abbas: reach peace agreement by year's end (AP)
AP - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pledged Friday to try to reach a final status peace agreement with Israel by the end of the year — but he admitted the goal, set by U.S. President George W. Bush, might not be achieved.Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:35:40 GMT

Israel court okays far-right demo in Arab town (AFP)

AFP - The Israeli High Court gave permission on Thursday for a demonstration by a far-right Jewish group to go ahead in an Arab town despite police objections on public order grounds, a judicial source said.

The Christian Science Monitor - While the prospect of Israeli-Syrian peace has been given a boost by French President Nicholas Sarkozy's visit to Damascus, any face to face dialogue between the two longtime enemies is likely to wait until new administrations are in place in both Jerusalem and Washington.